FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 17, 2025 

WHEN: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

WHERE: PURI School of Business, Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford, Illinois 61108 

WHAT: The Data Analytics Bootcamp will include multiple sessions on topics such as Data Approaches, including Survey Design and Theoretical Framework, Identifying Key Performance Indicators and creating Dashboards, how and where to Locate Data, Social Media Analytics, and more. 

WHO: The event is sponsored by Rockford University, Regional 1 Planning Council, and Gorman & Company. 

Facilitators include Ron Clewer of Gorman & Company; Seth Boswell, Steve Gregg, and Jacob Holcomb of Region 1 Planning Council; Jacob Bradt of Rockford Buzz, and Rockford University’s Elizabeth Nardi. 

To register for the event head to this link. 

Media interested in attending the event should RSVP to communications@rockford.edu by Monday, Feb. 10, at 5 p.m.

Contact:

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

communications@rockford.edu 

OR

Sara Myers-Hogshead

Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

SHogshead@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

Rockford, IL—Rockford University is thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Pathways to Possibility Gala. This year, all fundraising efforts will support the Student Opportunity Fund at Rockford University. 

This year’s Gala will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Clark Arts Center on Rockford University’s campus. The campus is located at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, Illinois. 

This unique event is an opportunity to invest in the bright futures of our students while enjoying an elegant night filled with engaging stories, fine dining, and entertainment. 

The Student Opportunity Fund helps Rockford University students turn aspirations into achievements by providing financial support for transformative experiences like research projects, international trips, conferences, etc. 

A donor’s generosity ensures that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. 

In addition to culinary delights and entertainment, the Gala will feature a social hour and a Silent Auction with an array of beautiful baskets for sale.

RU students will speak about how trips and experiences supported by the Student Opportunity Fund have impacted them. The event dress code is business formal, or you may come dressed as your favorite explorer or adventurer. 

For tickets and more information on the event, head to rockford.edu/gala.

To be a Gala sponsor, please contact Stewardship & Project Manager Lauren Prchal at LPrchal@rockford.edu or 815.394.5190. 

For other Gala information please contact Senior Advancement Officer Tanner Elliott at TElliott@rockford.edu or 815.394.5029. 

For media inquiries, please contact Rockford University Communications at communications@rockford.edu. 

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About Rockford University:

Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 7, 2025

Rockford, Illinois- Rockford University is thrilled to announce new curated professional programming is available online through the College of Professional & Extended Learning (CPEL). 

The new programming will focus on skills for the workplace through professional courses, certificates, programs, and Industry Certifications. Flexible online courses allow learners to take charge and individualize their learning journey. Spanish language programming is also available.

These professional courses, programs, and certificates include a variety of relevant skills in Business, Technology (including Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, Data Science, Cybersecurity, etc.), Media Production and Design, Healthcare, Project Management, and more. 

Visit Rockford University Skills Marketplace to learn more about CPEL’s skills-based program offerings. 

Professional programming helps learners stay current in industry-relevant curricula. Whether it is the first job, career advancement or change, or simply continuing education, Rockford University can support learners in their journey.

For further information, please contact the College of Professional & Extended Learning directly at cpel@rockford.edu or Rockford University Marketing/Communications at communications@rockford.edu.

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About Rockford University:

Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Dec. 11, 2024

Rockford, Illinois- Rockford University is thrilled to announce the addition of two new master’s degree programs in the Kinesiology department: Master of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP) and Master of Arts in Sport Management and Leadership (MASL). 

The MSEP degree is designed for individuals interested in advancing careers in personal health and wellness training, health promotion, and physical rehabilitation. Students who earn a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology degree will have numerous career opportunities, including roles as exercise physiologists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, clinical research assistants, and physical therapy aides.

The MASL degree is designed for individuals passionate about the sport management industry. Graduates will be equipped for careers such as athletic coaches, athlete development specialists, athletic directors, business development coordinators, and more.

“These two (degree programs), sports management and leadership and exercise physiology, are really geared towards the scholars (RU students) that are thinking about what’s next,” said Dr. Cathy Headley, Associate Professor of the Kinesiology Department, who helped create both programs. “Students continuing their education here creates a legacy and commitment to Rockford University.”

Both programs will launch in Fall 2025 and feature courses that will be 8 weeks in duration and delivered asynchronously online.

Dr. Headley adds that she believes these graduate programs will provide a unique opportunity for Rockford University to invite potential students from outside of the area. 

Learn more about each of the new master’s degrees by going to rockford.edu/admission/graduate/master-of-exercise-physiology and rockford.edu/admission/graduate/master-of-sport-management-and-leadership.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Rockford University Marketing and Communications

communications@rockford.edu 

About Rockford University
Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP). 

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2024

Rockford, IL – Rockford University is proud to announce the formal dedication of the “Zelenka Family Esports Center,” a state-of-the-art facility made possible by the generosity of the Janet Zelenka Family. This groundbreaking addition to campus solidifies the university’s commitment to fostering innovation, student engagement, and forward-thinking initiatives.

Esports is no longer a niche activity; it is a billion-dollar global industry transforming the landscape of entertainment, technology, and education. Competitive gaming has become an integral part of student culture across the country, and Rockford University is seizing the opportunity to embrace this dynamic trend.

“By investing in Esports, we are preparing our students for a growing market, fostering their success, and ensuring our university remains competitive in an ever-changing educational landscape,” said President Patricia Lynott. “This facility positions us as a leader in this space, attracting a new demographic of students who are passionate about gaming and eager to find a community where they can thrive.”

The Zelenka Family Esports Center boasts cutting-edge gaming equipment, dedicated spaces for training and competitions, and resources designed to support students’ academic and extracurricular pursuits. It is a hub for collaboration, creativity, and community, offering a unique space for students to excel both in and out of the virtual arena.

Ribbon-Cutting Event Highlights

The dedication ceremony, held on Tuesday. December 3rd, marked a historic moment for the university. The event featured a ribbon-cutting led by Janet Zelenka alongside university leaders and students. Attendees toured the impressive facility and met with members of the Esports team.

The Zelenka Family Esports Center is now officially open, welcoming students, faculty, and community members to experience firsthand the exciting potential of Esports at Rockford University.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Rockford University Marketing and Communications

communications@rockford.edu

Photos of the center and the dedication ceremony can be found here. 

About Rockford University
Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 2, 2024

Rockford, Illinois- Rockford University is thrilled to announce its upcoming December Recognition Ceremony, a momentous occasion to honor the achievements of our dedicated students. The ceremony will commence at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Rockford University in the Clark Arts Theatre located at 5050 E State St., Rockford, Illinois, 61108. This event promises to be a celebration of academic excellence and a culmination of hard work and commitment.

This year’s ceremony will include a keynote address from English Professor Dr. William Gahan, and speeches from University President Dr. Patricia Lynott, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Marci Taets. 

As part of the day’s festivities, the university will host a nurse pinning ceremony, recognizing the accomplishments of our nursing graduates. The nurse pinning ceremony is set to take place at 9:00 a.m., preceding the main recognition event. This special occasion highlights the dedication and expertise of our nursing students as they embark on their professional journeys.

Rockford University warmly invites families, friends, faculty, and the community to join us in celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our graduates. The December Recognition Ceremony is a time-honored tradition, and we look forward to sharing this occasion with everyone.

For further information, please contact Rockford University Marketing/Communications at communications@rockford.edu or Sara Myers-Hogshead at SHogshead@rockford.edu. 

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About Rockford University:

Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCKFORD, IL. – Rockford University proudly congratulates senior Julisa Gutierrez on being named a 2024 Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

This prestigious honor is awarded to outstanding seniors who “are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities,” according to the Lincoln Academy.

“Julisa has been an outstanding student leader and role model on campus, especially through her dedication as a Regent Experience Guide and Regents First Mentor, where she has helped countless students navigate their university journey with confidence and care,” said Chelsea Minor, Director of Career Development & First Year Programs, who attended the ceremony on Oct. 26.

The Lincoln Academy honored top students from colleges and universities across Illinois during a ceremony held on Oct. 26 at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Performing Arts Center.

Each student laureate received the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award certificate signed by the Academy Chancellor, the Honorable Ron Spears; the President of The Lincoln Academy; and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, as well as a Lincoln medallion; a challenge coin; and a $1,000 check from The Lincoln Academy.

Congratulations to Julisa for this remarkable achievement!

###

Contact:

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

communications@rockford.edu

About Rockford University
Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 24, 2024

ROCKFORD, ILL.- Rockford University’s First Gen Forward Club in collaboration with the University’s Regents First program will hold a special dinner celebration in honor of National First Generation College Celebration Day. The dinner will be held Nov. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Regents Hall.

Regents Hall is located in the Burpee Student Center. Burpee Student Center is located on Rockford University’s campus, located at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, Illinois. 

The event will include professional headshots, musical performances, and a keynote speech from RU alumna, Board of Trustees member, and first-generation graduate Mary Ann Laudicina. She will also participate in a first-generation panel discussion during the event. 

All RU faculty, staff, students and their families are welcome to this event.

About First-Generation College Celebration

On November 8, to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, institutions nationwide are invited to celebrate the presence and experiences of first-generation college students, faculty, and staff within their communities. The HEA created federal programs that promote postsecondary access, retention, and completion for limited-income, first-generation college students. 

RU’s campus efforts will be part of a national advocacy campaign focused on promoting systemic social change by dismantling barriers to first-generation student success on both a local and national level. 

More information on this nationwide celebration can be found at firstgen.naspa.org/engagement/first-generation-college-celebration/first-generation-college-celebration. 

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This event is open to the RU community (students and their families, staff, and faculty). Local media is invited to the Rockford University campus to cover this event.

Contact:

Sara Myers-Hogshead

RU Marketing & Communications

shogshead@rockford.edu 

815.394.5052 

About Rockford University
Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The undergraduate program offers approximately 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including three 100% online majors through the RU Online program. Five master’s degrees are offered through the graduate program, including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Sport Management & Leadership (MASM), and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP).

Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is proud to hold the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that highlights our dedication to meaningful and impactful partnerships within our local and regional communities. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,200 full- and part-time students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 17, 2024 

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

WHERE: Starr Science Center at Rockford University. Rockford University is located at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, Illinois.

WHAT: Rockford University’s Science, Math, and Nursing College will hold the InnnovateHER STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) camp for sixth-grade female students from two area middle schools: Galapagos Rockford Charter School and the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. 

Each school will be sending about 40 students and a handful of chaperones to participate in hands-on activity sessions in the areas of Science, Healthcare, Technology, Engineering, and Math. 

All sessions will be led by female STEM students and facilitated by female faculty/staff mentors. Each session emphasizes potential career paths in STEM fields that relate to the activity chosen and will consist of groups of about 8 middle school students. 

This event is funded by an In Youth We Trust grant through the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois that May 2024 Biochemistry graduate Faith Gomez received before graduating. Melisa Kraus is the student who is taking over in Gomez’s place. Kraus is a Biochemistry and Psychology double major.

WHO: Rockford University faculty and staff involved in the event include Dean of College of Science, Math and Nursing Filiz Dik, Associate Professor Kari Severson, Lab Manager and Administrative Assistant Anya McIntyre, Lecturer Viktoriia Dobriak, Assistant Professor Melissa Korkmaz-Vaisys, Lecturer of Physics Susan Sorensen, Assistant Professor of Biology Emily Webb, and Beth Lipton. 

Media interested in attending the event should RSVP to communications@rockford.edu no later than on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. 

Contact:

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

communications@rockford.edu 

OR

Kayla Eddy

KEddy@rockford.edu

815.394.5041

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 16, 2024

ROCKFORD, ILL.- Author Barbara Gregorich will present “Design, Luck, and the Rockford Peaches: All Things Are Connected,” on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in Fisher Chapel.

Fisher Chapel is located on Rockford University’s campus at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, Illinois.

Gregorich is the author of the 1993 book, Women at Play: The Story of Women in Baseball.

Women at Play was published in 1993, receiving a boxed review in the Sunday New York Times. It was awarded the Society for American Baseball Research-MacMillan Award for best baseball research of the year. In 2017 Women at Play was brought back to popular attention when Francis Ford Coppola (in a NY Times Book Review), asked the question of which book readers would be surprised to find on his shelf, answered: “Women at Play: The Story of Women in Baseball, by Barbara Gregorich.” In September 2024 Gregorich was honored with the SABR Dorothy Seymour Mills Lifetime Achievement Award.

While writing baseball novels and nonfiction, Gregorich also worked as a freelance educational writer and editor, creating more than 100 activity books for various publishers; writing a series of Start to Read books; writing early readers (Waltur Buys a Pig in a Poke and Waltur Paints Himself into a Corner); and writing BrainQuest cards and workbooks.

In this presentation, Gregorich will speak about how and why she decided to research women baseball players and how her research for the historically significant, but always elusive, Maud Nelson led her across fifty years and half of the US—inevitably culminating with Rose Gacioch and the magnificent Rockford Peaches.

Forum Series

The Rockford University Forum Series presents speakers in a variety of disciplines who have achieved success both nationally and locally, and performers of stature in the arts. The Forum Series’ central programming focus is geared toward students, while also seeking to connect the campus to the local community. Lectures and performances are concerned with intellectual, social, and cultural matters of general interest to deepen and broaden students’ education at Rockford University and enhance the rich culture of Rockford.

Forum Series presenters and events cover a broad spectrum of scope and genre. Events have included the Tibetan lamas from Drepung Loseling Monastery and their creation of a mandala—a sacred sand painting; Holocaust survivor Zev Kedem, the compelling speaker who worked with Steven Spielberg on the movie Schindler’s List; Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on a Central American Peace Plan; quadriplegic Olympic bronze medal rugby player Mark Zupan; film documentarian Barbara Martinez Jitner, who produced “La Frontera;” Davar Ardalan, author of “My Name is Iran;” and traditional University events like the President’s Opening Convocation, Charter Day Convocation, and theater productions.

International Women’s Baseball Center

At IWBC, education is the cornerstone of our mission to protect, preserve, and promote all aspects of women’s baseball, both on and off the field. IWBC’s administrative offices are located at Rockford University. For more information on events and programs, visit iwbc.org.

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This event is open to the general public and the RU community. Local media is invited to the Rockford University campus to cover this event.

We kindly ask the media to RSVP to this event. To RSVP, please contact Sara Myers at SMyers@rockford.edu by Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052